August 24, 2018
West Kennedy Creek to Aspen Knob
Superior Hiking Trail Thru-Hike: Day 10
Resupply in Finland.
Alex is in Pinedale Wyoming. He starts his hike today of the Titcomb Basin in the Wind River Range.
Saw a wild chicken.
Carrying way too much food.
Hiked in my poncho and no pants.
Hanging out in the Finland community center charging stuff, packing stuff, drying stuff out.
Not looking forward to putting wet socks back on.
Going to try for 10-11 more miles. It's 1pm now so that's 6pm or 7pm without stops. We'll see. If I do 4 more that's still hitting quota.
Feeling good but I have a big big climb coming up.
The rain smells nice, actually. Even if it is in the tent. There were a lot of beautiful smells today. Wet dirt, flowers, the smell of honey, wet wood, pines, strangely the smell of a cigarette from a woman who walked by wearing flip flops.
Making Camp
Lame! Either my phone is wrong or I only went 22.4 miles today. Lame! Here I was thinking I had pulled a big 26 even on a rainy day and made up tons of miles for later. Mawww. Well, if I had 180 miles, did 22 and 24 (conservative), then it would leave me with 136 miles. Today is the 24th so I have 8 full days to do 136 miles. That's 17/day if I want the 1st to only be 10 miles. Let's see... Yeah, I have no idea. But if I pull 24 tomorrow to get to the Temperance River campground that's another 6 miles off the last day, which would be a lot off the final push, but I could Nero in Grand Marais if the weather is still terrible. That could be fantastic.
I made curry and am looking forward to it> I don't have a ton of water but I'd rather be thirsty than go get f-ing water. There are other people at the campsite, they are about to make dinner. Mostly I like having other people at the campsite because in my mind, it makes my tent less of a target for rodents.
I've been walking so much that I haven't been eating anywhere near enough food, which never, ever happens. What is up with my appetite? In normal life I'm literally always eating or hungry. I've been making half meals and can't even finish half of those!
Wet
The forecast went from rain one day (today) and then again on Monday to rain EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF THE TRAIL. Yes, I know I should take it with a grain of salt because it's a forecast but it was kind of the nail in the coffin of let's shut up and just get this trail done. It's basically supposed to thunderstorm until the 29th.
I feel like I should not be resupplying in Tofte because it's too soon to resupply. If I stick to the original plan then I have one full day and then a 3/4 day out before resupply. I just want to go into town because it's raining. Which goes back to a theme in my life: I. Hate. Being. Wet. I hate it. I'm glad other people get joy in things like swimming. I do not. I think it sucks. And then being wet without a choice, just sitting wet in the tent, wet while walking...well, wet while walking isn't so bad. the feet part is a little rough, especially with my blister and putting wet socks on in the morning. Mostly it's wet mornings that make me feel defeated. I want to be cozy in the morning, not like a wet rat freezing and trying to stay warm, pack my crap up, yada yada yada. Though I will say that being wet makes you appreciate a warm bed, a fireplace, a hot drink, someone cozy to snuggle up to, being clean, a hot shower, a candle even.
Thoughts Before Bed
I still have to finish eating this ridiculously salty meal. It's my doing, I added half the container of soy sauce on accident.
I met a lady today who did the Camino and also did the Highland Trail in Scotland and said it was amazing. As it turns out, two of my favorite poeople from WDS regularly go to Spiritual Retreats or meditation retreats. It makes me think I should try it.
The raindrops sound like squirrels chewing and chucking nuts and it's really wigging me out.
Laying here all ready for bed, not drinking water so 1) I have enough for hot drink in the morning and 2) I don't have to get up and pee (hopefully) in the middle of the night.
It's kind of amazing having all these thoughts that I always have with nobody to tell them to. My hand is cramping cramping but the thoughts keep coming.
I wonder what the other two campers at this site are doing with their food. I always wonder things like that.
Oh, also, my pack ripped. Yep. Just like that. All the way from seam to seam when I was trying to stuff food resupply into it. Two days until I go to an outfitters that hopefully has tenacious tape. Such is trail life.